The United States (U.S.) Department of the Treasury has postponed the implementation of sanctions against Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) for the sixth time, this time until September 26.
The Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, pointed out that “NIS will continue to ensure a stable supply of oil and petroleum products to the domestic market, even under difficult circumstances,” according to RTS.
“The ultimate goal is the removal of NIS from the sanctions list of the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a process that does not depend on Serbia. We hope that the continuation of high-level talks between the U.S. and Russia will contribute to progress for the entire package of American sanctions against Russian companies, as well as an agreement that could positively affect the removal of uncertainty regarding Naftna Industrija Srbije and the removal of the company from the sanctions list,” Đedović Handanović pointed out.
She indicated that Serbia has managed to preserve energy security through the postponement of sanctions so far.
“Despite the complex circumstances that we cannot influence, it has been ensured that the refinery has enough crude oil and can continue its work, and we are grateful to the American administration for its understanding so far. The situation remains complex, and the state continues to make maximum efforts and to conduct an active dialogue with both the American and Russian sides,” the relevant minister emphasized.
She also recalled that Serbia did not contribute in any way to the introduction of sanctions against NIS and that they are the result of global politics.
“We will continue to fight with all diplomatic means to ensure a stable supply for our citizens and the economy,” Đedović Handanović concluded.
The director of “Srbijagas,” Dušan Bajatović, assessed yesterday that NIS is currently operating normally, and that fuel reserves in Serbia are sufficient for six to eight months, and that there is no danger of price shocks or oil shortages.
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Source: Nova.rs, Photo: Naftna Industrija Srbije